Vicia canescens is a species of legume in the vetch genus that is endemic to Lebanon.

Description

An attractive and sturdy perennial plant, it grows to tall with 8 to 10 pairs of erect or ascending, densely hairy, subcanescent to sericeous leaves. The uppermost leaves may have short tendrils. The elliptic to linear-lanceolate leaves measure 5 to 40 mm in length with entire, semi-hastate stipules. The attractive inflorescence comprises a raceme with 3 to 18 closely arranged flowers with long stalks. The flowers are large, 17 to 25 mm long, lilac, or violet-blue with a 6 to 13 mm long, purple, scarcely gibbous calyx. The plant produces a villous, oblong fruit, 26–35 mm long and 7–11 mm wide, with ciliate sutures. The fruit contains several seeds.

Vicia canescens

Distribution and habitat

Vicia canescens is endemic to the mountains of Mount-Lebanon.

Vicia canescens

References

canescens

Endemic flora of Lebanon

Plants described in 1791

Vicia canescens